Chocolate Haystacks are no-bake treats made with peanuts, chow mein noodles, and potato chips coated with melted chocolate almond bark. It’s a sweet and salty treat that would be a delicious addition to your Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board and your list of Christmas Cookies! For a festive touch, add some colorful sprinkles.

What Are Haystacks?

Haystacks are a no-bake treat made by combining crunchy ingredients like chow mein noodles, peanuts, and other ingredients with melted chocolate. The clusters are shaped and left to set, resembling small piles of hay, or haystacks! They are popular for their simplicity, requiring no baking and allowing easy customization with different ingredients.

Pouring chocolate over ingredients for Chocolate Haystacks.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Peanuts: I prefer salted peanuts for this sweet and salty treat, but you could certainly use unsalted.

Noodles: Chow mein noodles are a key part of this recipe, and sometimes, the treats are called chow mein noodle cookies. Chow mein translates to ‘fried noodles’; they are thin and crispy noodles.

Potato Chips: Ripple potato chips add more crunch and saltiness to the haystacks. You could use your favorite kind of chips for this treat.

Chocolate Almond Bark: Chocolate Almond Bark is a popular candy coating for fruits, nuts, and crackers. Despite the name, it doesn’t contain any nuts; it is named for its common use in covering nuts. Melt the chocolate almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl, according to package instructions. You could substitute the same amount of regular melted chocolate if preferred. Make sure it is tempered correctly for a smooth texture.

Sprinkles: Add some colorful sprinkles to add some pizazz to each haystack!

Scooping Chocolate Haystacks onto parchment paper.

Chocolate Haystacks Variations

Haystacks are fun treats to customize and make with your favorite ingredients. Here are some ideas to explore different flavors and textures:

Try different nuts like chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts. Or, try a mix of nuts!
Add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Mix in dried fruits like cranberries or raisins.
Introduce crushed pretzels to the mix.
Mini marshmallows and crushed graham crackers would give a S’mores vibe!

How To Store Chocolate Haystacks

Once set and cooled completely, store chocolate haystacks in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the haystacks. Freeze them in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature.

Chocolate Haystacks

Prep Time 10

Cooling Time 10

Total Time 20

Chocolate Haystacks are no-bake treats made with peanuts, chow mein noodles, and potato chips coated with melted chocolate almond bark. It's a sweet and salty treat that would be a delicious addition to your Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board and your list of Christmas Cookies! For a festive touch, add some colorful sprinkles.

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Ingredients

▢ 1 cup (146 g) salted peanuts, roughly chopped
▢ 3 cups (168 g) chow mein noodles
▢ 2 cups (68 g) ripple potato chips
▢ 1 package (24 ounces) chocolate almond bark*
▢ sprinkles, optional

Instructions

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
To a large bowl, add peanuts, chow mein noodles, and potato chips.
In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate almond bark according to package directions.
Pour the melted chocolate almond bark into the bowl with the peanuts, chow mein noodles, and chips. Stir together. (The chips should crush naturally.) Mix until all ingredients are fully coated.
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop dollops of the mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. (If the mixture has hardened before you can spoon it all onto the baking sheets, simply microwave the mixture for 15-20 seconds, or until the bark has melted again.) This recipe made 24 haystacks. Depending on the size of the clusters, the number of haystacks may vary.
Top with sprinkles (optional).
Let cool until the almond bark has firmed (10-15 minutes).

Notes

*Chocolate Almond Bark is a popular candy coating for fruits, nuts, and crackers. Despite the name, it doesn’t contain any nuts; it is named for its common use in covering nuts. You could substitute the same amount of regular melted chocolate if preferred. Make sure it is tempered correctly for a smooth texture.

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